Toxic fallout: Zambian farmers sue Chinese mining firm for $220M over dam disaster

Dozens of Zambian farmers have filed a landmark $220 million lawsuit against Chinese mining company Sino-Metals Leach (SML), alleging that a catastrophic toxic spill in February devastated their land, poisoned water sources, and endangered public health.
The suit follows the collapse of a mining waste dam near Kitwe, in Zambia’s Copperbelt, which released tens of millions of liters of contaminated wastewater. Independent cleanup firm Drizit Environmental, hired by Zambia’s environmental agency, reported that the actual spill volume was up to 20 times greater than what SML initially claimed. The waste contained cyanide, arsenic, cadmium, and other heavy metals linked to cancer, organ failure, and birth defects. Representing around 50 farmers, the plaintiffs are demanding compensation for lost livelihoods and irreversible damage. They also call for an independent environmental assessment, medical screenings, and urgent relocation from affected areas. The spill, they argue, has rendered farming impossible and sparked a rise in illness and livestock deaths.
This is the second legal action against SML in recent weeks — another 176 residents have filed a separate case, amplifying public outrage over what many see as weak environmental oversight and corporate impunity. SML has denied all allegations, insisting it complied with government regulations and completed required rehabilitation. As legal proceedings begin, environmental advocates warn this case could become a test for corporate accountability and environmental justice in Zambia’s mining sector — long plagued by pollution and poor enforcement.